SAFETY--Annual Inspection of Cableway Installations In Reply Refer To: October 19, 1988 WGS-Mail Stop 405 BRANCH OF OPERATIONS TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 89.01 To: Regional Hydrologists District Chiefs From: Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations Subject: SAFETY--Annual Inspection of Cableway Installations Water Resources Division Memorandum No. 85.03 established a policy that each District Chief will arrange for a mandatory annual inspection of every cableway installation within their District's area of responsibility. Tne purpose of this memorandum is to remind you to insure that the annual inspection is performed and documented this year. A copy of the attached checklist should be used to document the inspection of each cableway. Personnel making the inspection should be instructed to report any signs of corrosion or other defects on the main cable, backline cable, anchors, A-frame, A-frame base bolts, etc., to their supervisors on a hazard elimin- ation log. Supervisors should see that unsafe or suspect components of the cableway are replaced before the cable is used again. We must not overlook any component which could cause an accident if it f@iled. If you are in doubt as to whether a cable should be replaced, the assistance of Halkin Services, Inc., can be obtained to provide nondestructive testing of cables. The procedure for obtaining the assistance of Halkin is as described in our memorandum to you titled "SAFETY--Nondestructive Testing of Cableways in Place," dated September 29, 1986. The longer a cableway is exposed to the elements, the more important the annual inspection and maintenance become. Your cooperation in maintaining safe structures for our employees to work from is appreciated. William B. Mann IV Attachment 1 of 4 Sta. Number__________________ CABLEWAY SAFETY CHECKLIST Inspected by____________________ Date Inspected__________________ Station Name__________________________________________________________________ Cable span_________ft; cable type & diameter____________________________; presdribed sag, unloaded _____ft (see sag diagram); A-frame height, left_____ft, right_____ft. A-frames are timber_____steel_____. MAIN CABLE 1. Are there any broken strands?_____Any signs of rust?_____Flaking?_____ 2. Are there signs of fatigue (a square break in a wire)?_____(This can be caused by oscillation, vibration, and stress.) 3. Are U-bars and cable clean and not in contact with soil?_____ If no, clean both and explain any problems. 4. Are thimbles aligned and in place?_____ 5. Cable sag is _____ ft. Correct as necessary. 6. Is cableway adequately stationed?______ Repaint as necessary. 7. Are clips installed correctly?_____ (U-bolt on "dead" end of cable) 8. Left A-frame: clip farthest from loop is minimum of 6 inches from end of cable?_____; there are_____*(no.) clips with a minimum spacing of _____ inches.** Right A-frame: clip farthest from loop is minimum of 6 inches from end of cable?_____; there are_____*(no.) clips with a minimum spacing of _____ inches.** Minimum prescribed: * 5 clips for 3/4 and 7/8 inch cable, 6 for 1 inch or greater. ** 6 inches for 7/8 and 1 inch cable. Explanation for any of the above items considered "unsafe." _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 2 of 4 BACKLINES AND MESSENGER CABLE 1. Are there any borken strands? left _____ right _____. 2. Are there any signs of rust? left _____ right _____. 3. Flaking? left _____ right _____. 4. Are backlines taut? left _____ right _____. If not, tighten as necessary. 5. If aircraft markers are used, are they in good repair? _____ Secure? _____. 6. Are aircraft markers needed? _____ 7. Are clips installed correctly? left _____ right _____. Explanation for any of the above items considered "unsafe." ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ANCHORS AND FOOTINGS 1. Do the anchors show excessive deterioration? left _____ right _____. footings? left _____ right _____. Do the anchors show signs of movement? left _____ right _____. footings? left _____ right _____. 2. If anchored in rock, are there signs of movement? _____ fractures? _____ 3. Are there any signs of rust, deterioriation, or fatigue in the U-bars? left _____ right _____; thimbles? left _____ right _____; cable connections? left _____ right _____. 4. Are the bolts fastening the A-frame to the footing rusted? left _____ right _____. Are there nuts on the bolts? left _____ right _____. Explanation for any of the above items considered "unsafe." ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 3 of 4 CABLE SUPPORTS 1. Are the A-frames free from rust and corrosion? left _____ right _____; free from signs of fatigue? left _____ right _____. 2. Are timber A-frames free from decary? left _____ right _____. Do the A-frames need to be treated with a preservative? left _____ right _____. 3. Are ladders, stairs, and platforms securely fastened? l left _____ right _____. I Is a security fence needed? left _____ right _____. If site has a security fence, is it safe and adequately maintained? left _____ right _____. 4. Is the cableway grounded? _____ Explanation for any of the above items considered "unsafe." ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ CABLE CAR 1. Are the sheaves in good shape? _____ 2. Are the supports free of cracks? _____ 3. Is the floor in good shape? _____ 4. Is the plate for the reel in good shape? _____ 5. Are the side railings secure? _____ 6. Is the plate connecting the sheaves to the supports in good shape? _____ Explanation for any of the above items considered "unsafe." ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 4 of 4 [For a copy of this page, Contact the Branch of Operational Support, Reston]. August 1986 USGS Handbook 445-1-H HAZARD ELIMINATION LOG ---------------------- ORGANIZATION:______________________FACILITY LOCATION:___________________________ SAFETY OFFICER:___________________________FTS-NUMBER:___________________________ HAZARD DATE FOUND FOLLOWUP DATES CORRECTED ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Figure 6-3 6-20